Originally posted by THE MINGSTER I'm sure Bond and Astle is out, but Hart and Fleming seem more likely to play. It would be harsh if Hart is dropped, seeing he has done nothing wrong in the Tests, and has been a gritty performer for us.

What the hell do you mean Harris in the Test side? Riiiiiight......

I was just responding to your earlier post re Bond & Hart being out for 2 months........as I said I hadn't heard anything else & you had McCullum in your lineup so I agreed that it was the logical progression......I also agree that it would be harsh if he was dropped from the Test team if he is fit, as IMO McCullum has done nothing in comparison head to head to warrant inclusion ahead of Hart.

Re Harris........if you think I was really serious about that one - he has played over 2 dozen Tests for NZ. In reality his Test career is all but over & I was just using the opportunity to further comment about his time being up & Cairns must be running out of time if Bracewell's form holds true to his comments re players being fit to do their jobs & roles selected for.....

Good to see Wilson back bowling with pace & taking wickets. Traditionally at this time of year you expect the seam bowlers to be getting some assistance from the wicket, but there have been some big innings & individual scores posted as well, and McIntosh got a big ton in that game so the bowlers have not had it all their own way - which further adds to Wilson's form.

If the likes of Mason & Walmsley are not too old for ODI selection then neither is Wilson (same age). With Bond out & Butler more of a Test bowler re his control, then I can see no reason why Wilson should not come into contention for the ODI series at least, and as possible cover during the Test series.

Further more if he opens the bowling for Otago & can bowl at that sort of pace, then I see no reason why he should not be considered in that role with Tuffey in the ODI series, as most of the International bowlers do not bowl a lot quicker than the mid to high 130s mark apart from the genuine quicks.

I also agree that if Oram looses form then Wilson could get the nod in the Test series, although I would expect Oram to be retained in the first instance.

The big question mark for me is will they play Cairns, and in what role? I doubt that he has shown enough form with either bat or ball for inclusion, and would have to play man of the match for Cantebury, taking a couple of 5 wicket bags for bugger all and scoring a dominating ton to get even close!!!

Originally posted by anzac I was just responding to your earlier post re Bond & Hart being out for 2 months........as I said I hadn't heard anything else & you had McCullum in your lineup so I agreed that it was the logical progression......I also agree that it would be harsh if he was dropped from the Test team if he is fit, as IMO McCullum has done nothing in comparison head to head to warrant inclusion ahead of Hart.

Re Harris........if you think I was really serious about that one - he has played over 2 dozen Tests for NZ. In reality his Test career is all but over & I was just using the opportunity to further comment about his time being up & Cairns must be running out of time if Bracewell's form holds true to his comments re players being fit to do their jobs & roles selected for.....

Good to see Wilson back bowling with pace & taking wickets. Traditionally at this time of year you expect the seam bowlers to be getting some assistance from the wicket, but there have been some big innings & individual scores posted as well, and McIntosh got a big ton in that game so the bowlers have not had it all their own way - which further adds to Wilson's form.

If the likes of Mason & Walmsley are not too old for ODI selection then neither is Wilson (same age). With Bond out & Butler more of a Test bowler re his control, then I can see no reason why Wilson should not come into contention for the ODI series at least, and as possible cover during the Test series.

Further more if he opens the bowling for Otago & can bowl at that sort of pace, then I see no reason why he should not be considered in that role with Tuffey in the ODI series, as most of the International bowlers do not bowl a lot quicker than the mid to high 130s mark apart from the genuine quicks.

I also agree that if Oram looses form then Wilson could get the nod in the Test series, although I would expect Oram to be retained in the first instance.

The big question mark for me is will they play Cairns, and in what role? I doubt that he has shown enough form with either bat or ball for inclusion, and would have to play man of the match for Cantebury, taking a couple of 5 wicket bags for bugger all and scoring a dominating ton to get even close!!!

Unforunately the selection for the Tests in named on Friday so this was the last chance to impress with the other State Champs game starting on Friday.

MINGSTER - how did you know Wilson was bowling 137km/h? It sounds an odd number to just pick out of the air. Don't tell me the Outer Oval has a radar more accurate than the cheap one Martin Crowe got from the poilice!

Which reminds me, I hope Sky have got their act together about that this year. Having Shoaib and Sami registering in the low 130's will be internationally embarrassing.

Originally posted by Kent MINGSTER - how did you know Wilson was bowling 137km/h? It sounds an odd number to just pick out of the air. Don't tell me the Outer Oval has a radar more accurate than the cheap one Martin Crowe got from the poilice!

Which reminds me, I hope Sky have got their act together about that this year. Having Shoaib and Sami registering in the low 130's will be internationally embarrassing.

I talked to him, and he said he trained at the indoor facility the other night and said he reached speeds max 137. And I asked him whether he thought he bowled around the same and he said yes.

Anzac - The naming of the test side has been pushed back to Sunday. It's fine here in Wellington so Cairns should get a couple of days to perform with the ball and as a leader.

To be honest I think most of the media are keen to welcome him back with open arms with so many other star names dropping like flies. Fleming didn't sound too optimistic on the radio this morning - he's seeing a specialist about his prospects, with speculation he may actually have a hernia or a stress fractured pelvis.

I can understand them wanting to put back the naming of the squad to have a look at Cairns, but I'm concerned that his selection may be influenced by the injuries to other players.

IMO this is contrary to what Bracewell has said in the media regarding what he wants from his players. Furthermore of Cairns is not showing form / consistency with bat & ball, then his inclusion will IMO weaken the side as a form batsman will probably be dropped to make way for him - as I can't see them dropping Oram, Tuffey, Vettori & I'm sure they don't want to play Cairns or Oram as opening bowler with Tuffey.

That type of selection has been the subject of much criticism over the past couple of seasons.